John Calvin Commentary Psalms 112:2

"His seed shall be mighty upon earth: The generation of the upright shall be blessed." — Psalms 112:2 (ASV)

His seed shall be powerful. To confirm the statement he made concerning the happiness of the man who fears Jehovah and delights in His commandments, the prophet enumerates the evidences of God’s loving-kindness, which He is accustomed to bestow upon His worshippers. And, in the first place, he says that God’s fatherly kindness is not confined to them personally; it also extends to their descendants, consistent with what is said in the Law: I am merciful to a thousand generations, toward those who love Me and keep My commandments (Exodus 34:7).

And in Psalm 103:8-9 and other passages, we have previously referred to this doctrinal statement. However, since many are inclined to pervert this doctrine by applying it as the standard by which God dispenses His temporal favors, it is therefore proper to keep in mind what I have said in Psalm 37:25: that these are bestowed in the way and to the extent that God pleases.

Sometimes it happens that a good man is childless, and barrenness itself is considered a curse of God. Again, many of God’s servants are oppressed with poverty and want, are weighed down by sickness, and harassed and perplexed by various calamities. It is therefore necessary to keep this general principle in mind: that God sometimes bestows His bounty more generously, and at other times more sparingly, upon His children, as He sees it to be most for their good. Moreover, He sometimes conceals the evidences of His kindness, apparently as if He had no regard for His people at all.

Still, amidst this perplexity, it constantly becomes clear that these words were not spoken in vain: the righteous and their offspring are blessed. God very frequently shatters the vain hopes of the ungodly, whose sole aim is to rule in the world and to elevate their children to positions of wealth and honor.

On the other hand, since the faithful are satisfied with raising their children in the fear of God and are content to live frugally, God, as it were with an outstretched hand, exalts them to honor. Add to this that anciently, under the Law, the truth of this doctrine was more evident, because it was necessary for an inexperienced and weak people to be trained gradually, through temporal benefits, to cherish a better hope.

And in our times, if it were not for our vices, God’s temporal kindness would shine more brightly upon us. For experience shows that what immediately follows does not always hold true: wealth and riches shall be in the houses of the righteous. It is not uncommon for the virtuous and holy to suffer hunger and to lack even the simplest food; and for this reason, it would not be for their good if God were to bestow more earthly benefits upon them.

In distressing circumstances, many of them would be incapable of behaving in a manner befitting their profession.

Meanwhile, we may observe that the grace the prophet commends appears principally in this: that the good and sincere are satisfied with their humble condition, whereas no amount, however large, even the whole world, will satisfy the ungodly worldly person. The old adage holds true: the covetous person lacks what he has, as well as what he does not have, because he is master of nothing and is a slave to his own wealth.

In connection with this clause, we must also consider what follows: the righteousness of good men endures for ever. This, in fact, constitutes the true and proper difference between the godly and the ungodly. The ungodly may, for a time, hoard immense wealth; yet, all of it will, according to the words of the prophet, suddenly vanish away at the blast of the Almighty (Haggai 1:9). And we daily see that what has been acquired by violence and deceit becomes the prey and property of others. But for the faithful, their integrity is the best and surest preserver of God’s blessings.